Cities & Road Trips

It’s Friday night: do you know where your fish fry is? It’s a Wisconsin culinary tradition that seems totally normal to people who grew up here, but may seem a bit random to visitors and transplants. Why fish? Why Friday? Why fried?

Well, we can already answer the “Why fried?” question. It tastes good and it’s the quickest way to cook a large amount of fish. But the event itself can be traced to medieval Roman Catholic Church history.

Friday is associated with the crucifixion of Christ – remembered on Good Friday during the Easter weekend – and so the day became one of abstinence – specifically, from meat. While beef or chicken were considered “hot” as they were the flesh of warm-blooded creatures, the flesh of fish was considered “cool” and thus got a free pass.

When Catholic immigrants such as the many Irish, Polish, and Germans, settled in Wisconsin, this practice came with them. During Prohibition, taverns – which could no longer sell the products that kept them in business, turned to serving food to keep the doors open (and perhaps sneak a few pints under the table). Fish was abundant and cheap, and frying didn’t exactly require cooking school.

Fish fries come in all sorts. You may find cod, walleye, lake perch if you’re lucky, or even bluegill. Beer-battered, lightly breaded, seasoned or not. Often the fish comes with coleslaw and fries or a baked potato on the side – though some purists insist on potato pancakes. Restaurants and supper clubs long ago joined the taverns, but you can also find fish fries in church basements (and not just Catholic ones) and VFW halls. And though some establishments offer fish fries on other days of the week, it takes away from the charm of a community event.

Ready for some fish? Check out these Friday fish fries, just a sampling of the many great places to go in Wisconsin.

Northern Wisconsin

Housed in a shiny aluminum 1940s Silk City diner, this roadside attraction deep in the woods packs up for Friday and Saturday night fries. Great Lakes perch and potato pancakes with an emphasis on local and sustainable.

As one old-timer regular says, "It may be small, and it may be a tavern, but it's got some damn good food." Fish fry is haddock anytime you want it, but baked or pan-fried walleye is also served. Sit on a deck overlooking the Manitowish River.

For that big appetite this is all-you-can-eat fish, and it comes with potato pancakes, baked beans, and a few other sides. Prices are reasonable at this popular highway-side family stop which has been doing it right since 1961.

Any place that serves only Wisconsin traditional fare is going to know its fish fry. Order the restaurant’s namesake or one of 50 Wisconsin tap beers to go with it. Cod, walleye or perch – or all three.

A progressive farm-to-table establishment, B&P’s uses locally caught Lake Michigan perch when possible and not just beer-battered, but grilled or baked as well. (On a side note, the fish tacos are stellar.)

The owner, a commercial fisherman, calls himself the Fish Mortician and a sign in the window reads “Fresh Lawyers.” Locally caught whitefish and burbot (“lawyers”) and a few other fish are fried up on Fridays.

Central Wisconsin

This Central Wisconsin small-town icon has been around a long time and for good reason. Many a wedding or prom date as it is one of the few fine dining options. Come for the fish fry and be sure to try the cheese curds as well.